April Review

 Ryan took some of us camping at Palomar towards the beginning of this past month! We really enjoyed our time out there. We drove up Thursday afternoon and returned home Friday afternoon! We hope to go again and stay longer!

 Our first camping trip without Daddy or Mommy was a success!;)

 Cooking dinner together....

 My "kitchen" for the trip.

 Natey enjoyed reading his book-Holy War.

 Setting the tent up.

 After we settled in, we enjoyed a  hot warm dinner and a fire. Here the boys were having some fun before we sang around the campfire.

 I've really enjoyed getting opportunities to observe and spend time with my brothers more. (This summer, I get to spend three months with them in Alaska working at another Christian camp doing counseling and volunteer work! It's all very exciting! We'll be leaving on the 16th of this month!!;)

 Isaiah and Natey laughing at what static does to my hair-it's hard to see but it was literally standing up straight in a fan-like position!

 "Breakfast caterpillars"

 And of course, no campout would be complete without the filming of a movie project!

 Hiking Friday afternoon before we leave the park.....

 It was a beautiful trail along the side of the mountain.....

 We enjoyed seeing different animals and Ryan got this neat picture of a hawk flying over us.:)

 Posing for a picture.....

 I look at these pictures and am amazed at how the years have flown by! These are men, not boys. I believe the Lord is going to do great things through them to advance His kingdom.:)

 Can you see the trail??

A funny moment to end our fun trip!

 

Daddy took a crew to work again this year for the parent/child day at Panasonic. This time Ryan, Daniel, Caytlin, Isaiah and Natey got to go.:) (I want to mention that my camera is in the shop right now  so we are relying on phones and tablets for pictures! )

 A picture with Daddy before leaving for Panasonic........

 Panasonic served breakfast this year, instead of lunch.

 Lots of fresh fruit on these plates....;)

Trying out the Panasonic massage chairs before leaving.....

 

The kids were very grateful to be able to join Daddy again this year, for the morning to spend some time with him and learn about his company, job and what he does.:) 

Friday, Opa drove down to see us and spend the weekend with Natey for their birthday! We always look forward to the double birthday celebration at this time of the year! Once again, we had a good visit with Opa!

 Dinner.....

 Evie...(recognize the jumper, Emily?;)

 Getting ready to sing.....

 We just put two candles on this cake-one for the birthday men to blow out each.

 Happy Birthday(2 days early)!!:)

 Natey and his best friends.;)

 Saturday morning we all loaded into the van and drove down to the Dutch Store! We always enjoy going there, especially with Opa! Here Mommy and Oma Cathy (a friend) were visiting so I asked them to pose for a picture.:)

 Daddy and his Daddy!

 We all got to pick something out-its always fun to see what all people try out each time!

 Sometimes it can be so hard to decide though.....;)

 

When we got back from the Dutch Store, Daddy, Opa and some of us older ones walked down to the swap meet at the fairgrounds. We were walking along when all of a sudden we saw some familiar faces: Adam and Rachel Parks!! We enjoyed briefly fellowshipping and introducing Opa! We were all excited to realize the Lord had this in store for us and Rachel and I got to pick out  sunglasses we were both looking for! It"s neat to see how the Lord cares about little things like sunglasses.:) 

 This was the only picture we got during the excitement.;)

 A picture with Opa, his son and grandchildren minus Evie who was napping.:)

 The birthday duo!:D

 Sunday Natey turned 10 and put his pennies in at church!

That afternoon we had a shower for Adam and Rachel Parks who are adopting a little boy very soon, Lord willing!:D

 This is the way real men spend time with their friends-with a baby sister on the hip.;)

 Rachel introducing her mother to Mommy...:)

 The lunch line....

 Very exciting!

 Happy 10th Birthday, Natey!;) This was a long day and Natey was very gracious and unselfish. We really appreciate his loving spirit!

 Adam, Rachel and "Rachel's Mom".....

 Playing games: Throwing rings into a baby potty seat-a lot more challenging than it looks!

 Go, Josh!

 Daniel got three rings in and tied with two other guys!

Adam tried throwing all of them at the same time to see what would happen!:P

 Evie and her Daddy pose-see any resemblance?;)

Opening gifts!:) Adam really like the suit mom picked out!

 Trying out the magnadoodle too.....

 We are very glad the Lord has brought Rachel and Adam into our church and family's lives-they have been such an encouragement and blessing us!:) We look forward to seeing how the Lord will guide and direct them and the boys look forward to meeting their new "cousin"!:)

 Then, if that wasn't enough, some of the family went to a concert that some of the Pau sisters were singing in that evening! The girls are part of the OC Chorale and performed at a Lutheran church near our home. We enjoyed being there to hear them perform! As it was a little long for the younger kids, Mommy ended up dropping them off at home and rejoining us later.

 Joanna, myself, Sarah Pau and Sarah McIntire after the concert.:)

 Proof Mommy was there!;)

 The guys-Jeffrey and Jason Pau, Jimmy Munteanu and Isaiah.....

 Sarah, Joanna and I with two other friends who performed as well: Michela and Abigail who are part of the OC Chambers Singers.:)

Just as we were leaving, mom saw this scene and told me to pull over and snap a picture.:) Lizzie, Nicole and Victoria enjoying themselves.:)

 After all that, Natey finally got his desire-a trip to the beach to swim!!!:)

 It was very chilly and while some people swam, others sat on the sand and watched...;)

 Mommy, Evie and Ryan.....

 A picture of the birthday boy and his swimming buddies!!

 Caytlin and I decided NOT to swim....maybe some other time.;)

 Playing in the sand with Ryan-he's such a sweet older brother and makes a perfect horse!;)

 It's been so much fun to have a sister who looks like she could be my baby!;)

 Even then, when the swimmers were tired, cold and done, we didn't go home yet. Mommy decided we all needed some nice, warm, cocoa! So we went to Denny's where they serve cocoa with free refills.:)

 Eagerly waiting for our drinks....

 Evie slept in the corner of the booth while Timmy looked out for her, checking on her from time to time. I turned to see him kissing her and it was too sweet to pass up.:)

Tired people can have some really slow conversations-but we had a good time! We are so glad to have our Natey! We really appreciate the heart he has for his family and the Lord. We pray that the Lord will use him mightily in the future to share with others about Christ!:)

 

  ^"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love."

                                                                                                    1 Corinthians 16:13-14